Field hockey: Mirror-like foes forced to adjust

If it weren't for shootouts to break double-overtime field hockey games, Columbus Academy and Thomas Worthington might play into the night.

If it weren't for shootouts to break double-overtime field hockey games, Columbus Academy and Thomas Worthington might play into the night.

Practically mirror images of each other and arguably the best teams in Ohio, the two will meet in a state semifinal today at Upper Arlington.

They are each 16-2-1 this season, have won a state title in the past two seasons, and fought to a 1-1 tie on Oct. 1.

"It's a shame one of us has to get knocked out," Academy coach Anne Horton said.

Today's match will be about adjustments because the Vikings' Layne Averill and the Cardinals' Anna Geissbuhler suffered season-ending injuries. It is a coincidence, yet fitting, that both left wingers are their team's top scorers.

Geissbuhler (24 goals, 14 assists) was struck in the face by a loose ball during the first overtime of a 1-0 shootout win over Watterson in a state qualifying final. The injury caused bleeding and a tear in the eyeball.

Averill suffered a broken foot in round two of the tournament, a 4-1 win over Upper Arlington.

"We've moved up midfielders to attack. We're still accessing who we're playing on (defense). It's still a little bit of a work in progress," Horton said.

Averill's numbers (26 goals, 15 assists) can be compensated through Natasha Leickly, Ali Dillon and Mia Wise, who have 12 goals apiece. Leickly moved up to attack and freshman Rachel Terveer likely will start at left wing.

Terveer scored two goals against UA and one against Liberty in the qualifying final.

"I think our play has become more multidimensional." Horton said. "There's just a lot more depth on the field."

Thomas' Abby Simmons, typically first off the bench, has started one game and has one-sixth the goals Geissbuhler has. But the Cardinals are armed with Anna Simmons (24 goals, 11 assists), who will shift to Geissbuhler's spot at left winger while Abby takes over on the right side.

It also helps that the defending champion Cardinals haven't allowed a goal in the postseason.